Our new 5 is due it's first service in August so I rang the local dealer (Cheshire Oaks, Cheshire) and was told it would cost £450!!!! - After I recovered from the shock I asked why it cost so much and asked for a breakdown of the parts & labour, here goes:

• Oil Filter
• 5w/30 Oil
• Head Gasket cover
• Oil Seal
• Sump Plug/washer
• Screen Wash
• 2 hours labour

First question...
Why does the head gasket need replacing after just a year and less than 10,000 miles? For reference we have a 2.0D Sport (143) Lux (Leather and Electric doors).
Second question, is this the going rate for a main dealer service who, correct me if i'm wrong are the only ones who have access to DSR.

Please help! Many thanks in advance & regards

 

Sorry all - just read a thread on this...they need to check the valve clearance so a new head gasket + oil/filter etc - lot's of labour, about 2 hours is probably right but £450 seems very steep, will try an independant who has access to MDSR...thanks for looking

 

My dealer didn't do the valve clearances on the first service and the cost was fairly low. Personally, I don't think the valve clearances really need adjusting. Most manufacturers only adjust the clearances if they're considered noisy after an audible inspection.

 

Thanks Nick - my local specialist has quoted me £200 for the job inc all Mazda parts + upgraded oil...OK it's not on DSR but I know the job will be done better than the main stealer...

 

The oil is important. Make sure they use Mazda/Ford specific 5w30 oil to C1 spec, not many manufacturers produce it. Carlube do one which is readily available from Eurocarparts.

 

Will do thanks!

 

They don't touch the head gasket. It's the cam cover gasket, not the head gasket cover they are refering to. They adjust the valve clearances, which can be a labour intensive job, if they actually have to do it.

Mine was back in about 3 hours, including wash and valet, which makes a joke of their labour charge. You would think they would try and justify the cost, but I knew about this cost anyway ( a good dealer will advertise it) so when I bought the car at 6 months old, I bargained for a free 1st service.

Come on though guys, surely you don't go into dealers and go, ooh nice car, I'll have it? I spent weeks looking at costs service intervals, tax etc.
No point saving 2 grand on a list price when it costs 4 grand to service it over another make.

And you need to worry about a DPF reset, which I think is a joke really, when using non franchised dealers. Doubt they will have the kit to do it

 

Thanks Coney, didn't ask about the servicing costs tbh, I am a motorsport engineer and had no idea that this type of work was done on any modern car nowadays, and I'm not alone in that assumption either. Having spent close to 20k on the car I would have expected them to tell me about this most unusual service. I have spoken to a few people at Mazda GmbH about them not 'managing my expectations' and they have agreed to service the car at the supplying dealer for £250 which is much more agreeable and also keeps the car on the all important DSR system. So all's well that ends well.

 

I just had my Mazda 5 serviced for £470. I asked for the fixed priced menu and was quoted around £480. The service receptionist was sympathetic. Once I found out the cost I called around various dealers and £450 was around the ballpark and not worth the additional hours drive each way to the other dealers.

I expected £250 for the first service and the 5 diesel tops the servicing costs of all the Mazda range. Even the RX8 costs about £180 for a first service.

 

Thanks man, the price of servicng for the 5 diesel is astronomical! Don't get me wrong though, very happy with our Sport Lux, never had a problem but I think the servicing costs and some of the work that is done is nothing short of robbery, not impressed by the DSR system/process either...